Translation and Meaning of: 取材 - shuzai

The Japanese word 取材[しゅざい] is often found in journalistic and academic contexts, but its meaning goes beyond a simple translation. If you are studying Japanese or are curious about how this expression is used in everyday life, this article will explore everything from its origin to practical tips for memorization. Here at Suki Nihongo, we always aim to provide clear explanations based on reliable sources, so get ready to discover everything about 取材 in a straightforward and helpful way.

Meaning and usage of 取材

取材 is commonly translated as "information gathering" or "reporting," but its usage encompasses situations where there is active investigation or research. Journalists, for example, use this word to describe the process of interviewing people or visiting locations to obtain data. However, it also appears in academic and business contexts, always with the idea of seeking concrete facts.

An interesting feature is that 取材 is not limited to formal activities. If a student is researching for a school project, they can say they are doing 取材. This flexibility makes the word quite versatile, appearing in everyday conversations and even in entertainment materials, such as dramas and manga.

Origin and composition of kanjis

The etymology of 取材 comes from the combination of two kanji: 取 (shu), which means "to take" or "to collect," and 材 (zai), which refers to "material" or "data." Together, they form the idea of "collecting materials," which perfectly explains its use in research contexts. This logical construction makes it easier to memorize, especially if you are already studying other vocabulary with the same characters.

It is worth noting that 材 also appears in words like 資料 (shiryou, "documents") and 材料 (zairyou, "ingredients"), reinforcing the notion of something that will be used as a basis. Understanding this connection helps to expand vocabulary naturally, without the need to memorize random lists of terms.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to remember 取材 is to associate it with real-life situations. For example, think of a reporter filming an interview or a researcher taking notes in a notebook. This mental image creates a concrete link to the meaning, preventing confusion with similar words like 調査 (chousa, "investigation"), which has a more technical tone.

Another tip is to pay attention to how the word appears in Japanese news or in drama scenes involving journalism. Often, it shows up in phrases like 取材に行く (shuzai ni iku, "to go cover a story"), which helps internalize not just the isolated term but also its most common combinations.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 取材 (Shuzai) - Information gathering
• 取材する (Shuzai suru) - Collect information
• 取材活動 (Shuzai katsudou) - Information gathering activity
• 取材記事 (Shuzai kiji) - Information gathering article
• 取材対象 (Shuzai taishou) - Object of information gathering
• 取材現場 (Shuzai genba) - Information collection site
• 取材依頼 (Shuzai irai) - Request for information collection
• 取材協力 (Shuzai kyouryoku) - Cooperation in information gathering
• 取材先 (Shuzai saki) - Destination for gathering information
• 取材内容 (Shuzai naiyou) - Content of information gathering
• 取材者 (Shuzai sha) - Information collector
• 取材方法 (Shuzai houhou) - Information gathering method
• 取材許可 (Shuzai kyoka) - Permission to collect information
• 取材撮影 (Shuzai satsuei) - Filming for information gathering
• 取材取得 (Shuzai shutoku) - Obtaining information
• 取材報道 (Shuzai houdou) - Report based on information gathering

取材

Romaji: shuzai
Kana: しゅざい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: Choice of subject; data collect

Meaning in English: choice of subject;collecting data

Definition: Interview: Collection of information about a specific subject.

Example Sentences - (取材) shuzai

See below some example sentences:

取材に行きます。

Shuzai ni ikimasu

I'm going to do a report.

I will go to the interview.

• 取材 - means "information gathering" or "interview" in Japanese.
• に - a Japanese particle that indicates the target or destination of an action.
• 行きます - です (desu) é a forma educada e polida do verbo "ir" em japonês.